No Plans To Buy Back Unsold Flats Due To Ethnic Integration Policy

The policy was coined way back 1989 and assures of an equality of ethnic sectors in Housing and Development Board estates.

The Ethnic Integration Policy took effect on March 01, 1989 tailored to nurture the harmonious relationship and racial integration within HDB or Housing and Development Board estates.

S. Dhanabalan, the Minister for National Development first introduced the urgent need for ethnic enclaves over HDB estates during his speech with the public leaders in the middle of New Year’s celebration at People’s Association Auditorium on January 06, 1989. To emphasize his concerns, he cited Tampines and Bedok neighbourhood housing estates examples where Malay household comprises the above 30 percent population of the whole estate community or population compared to Hougang where Chinese composed the 90 percent of the households. In an effort to solve the existing and escalating problem over communal clustering, the dynamic leader opted to urge the government to create policies that support ethnic balance as a way of strengthening cultural and social cohesion.

The controversial Ethnic Integration Policy which was authored by Dhanabalan, February 16, 1989. To guarantee a functioning racial mix around the Housing and Development Board estates, the authorities came up a maximum ethnic population for HDB blocks and neighbourhoods. The legal number of flats for every neighbourhood were as follows: 22 percent for Malays and 25 percent allowable proportion of flats for each corresponding block. While Chinese has permissible proportions of at least 87 percent down to 84 percent and 13 percent to 10 percent set for Indians and the rest of minority groups.

The government reiterated that they have no plans of buying again flats from the residents who declared that they are not given the chance to sell flats or units because of the existing Ethnic Integration Policy, told Lawrence Wong, the Minister of National Development of Parliament, October 03.

“The saleability for every flat in the open property market is congruent to various factors and not merely the EIP, Wong said in response to the controversial suggestion of MP Lim Biow Chuan which is to assist non- Chinese property owners whose flats were not sold because of the EIP.

” While homeowners can speculate the prices of their flats, there are some attributes they must remember, like the location, physical condition, storey height, remaining rent out and market sentiments. The said features are usually the factors catches the attention of the home buyers.”

Tailored in 1989, Ethnic Integration Policy, assures equality of mix ethnic groups in Housing and Development Board estates that existed.

” The EIP plays a significant role that covers all ethnic groups constantly,” Wong reiterated.

“It also includes the purchase and sale of all recent and resale Housing and Development Board units, and a privilege must be enjoyed by all ethnic community.”

He further stressed, those that strive hard just to sell their units or flats perhaps be given enough time by HDB while reminding them to be more practical and realistic in the set asking price.

“Housing and Development Board (HDB) will continue to observe flexibility for every household except for some beyond control circumstances,” he further added.